Khandu for consultations on APFR Act repeal move

Our Correspondent

Itanagar, July 3: In the wake of recent controversy that broke out after his statement in a public function that the Arunachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act, 1978 would be repealed, Chief Minister Pema Khandu has assured that “wider consultations” would be done “in the spirit of democratic traditions” before taking the final decision in this regard.

Khandu while attending a Church function at Banderdewa on June 28 had announced that the AP Freedom of Religion Act which was passed in 1978 will be brought before the Assembly during its next session for its repeal. He had also stated that the anti-conversion law “could undermine secularism” and “could be misused in future by irresponsible officials”. Taking to his micro blogging site Twitter, the chief minister clarified that his bid to upholding the democratic and secular ethos was neither about politics of vote bank nor intended to hurt any community or any religion.

“Upholding the democratic and secular ethos, the matter (AP freedom of religion Act 1978) is neither about politics of vote bank nor intends to hurt any community or any religion. In the spirit of democratic traditions wider consultations will be done on the matter,” Khandu tweeted.